Cornwall in Focus News

Fish and chips

Published 18 Mar 10 20:22

In late January, Cornwall in Focus broke the news that celebrity chef and TV personality Rick Stein was looking at opening a Fish and Chip Shop in Falmouth. The scheme has come to fruition and the establishment opens its doors to the general public for the first time on Friday 19th March 2010. Mr. Stein has transformed the North Cornwall town of Padstow into a highly desirable seaside location, now with top restaurants, excellent bistros and delicatessens, not to mention some superior hotels and quality bed & breakfasts.

His portfolio of businesses now includes four restaurants, one bistro, one deli, one bread shop and a cookery school - Not a bad catch in a fishing town of just 3,200 souls. His most recent venture was to become the landlord of the Cornish Arms in the nearby village of St. Merryn, offering, as you might expect, better than average pub grub. He is hoping this will land him his next foodie success.

The Falmouth operation comprises a restaurant, a fish and chip shop, oyster bar and takeaway.

The working town is over seven times the size of Padstow with far fewer second homes and a larger resident population in the winter. University College Falmouth (UCF) alone has almost 3,000 students and staff. All these people need to live somewhere and house prices and rents have risen in line with this demand. The arrival of UCF has turned Falmouth from a summer holiday resort into a place to visit (or stay) the whole year round. Falmouth has lots to offer the tourist, it has the third-deepest harbour in the world and a busy maritime industry. Its addition on the cruise liners itineraries can only help publicise the place. The area has several beaches, ranging from shingle through to golden sand; excellent walking opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, as well as a large selection of pubs and restaurants, many with a nautical feel. Falmouth is well placed to visit the picturesque Lizard and Roseland Peninsulas as well as the idyllic Helford River with its wonderful hidden creeks and coves. Plans are also being made to improve the marina area further.

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Port Isaac Singers, 'The Fishermen's Friends' are celebrating tonight after landing a £1 million deal with global media company Universal. The fishermen will be releasing an album of their sea shanties on 26th April 2010 after catching the ear of a travelling music scout. Recently stars such as Johnny Depp have really taken to the maritime life after his appearances in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series of movies. All things to do with pirates and seafaring in the olden days are now 'cool'.

The 10 friends, all current or former fishermen, coastguards or lifeboat men, have sung together for over 15 years. Founder member Jeremy Brown recently explained "In Cornish pubs there is a tradition of singing. We just all got together with the intention of learning all the words instead of just knowing the first verse and the last verse and making up the bit in the middle." Apart from the forthcoming album, they are also on the bill at Glastonbury Festival later this year.

Sea shanties were originally sung by the ship's crew while working to maintain rhythm and get their tasks done efficiently and on time. The new album, recorded in nearby St Kew church will be the group's third release after Suck Em' And Sea and 'Another Mouthful From'. For more information see their new website.

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